Sunrose 7, Slovenia

Take me with you…

Sunrose 7 is a heritage boutique hotel nestled in the Julian Alps in Slovenia. Built in 1890, distinguished guests in its 130-year reign include members of the Empire’s Royal Family

The adult-only, 18-room bolthole encourages digital detox, with no phones or TVs in the rooms and a hidden wi-fi password that you must ask for (it was ‘not today’ on our visit). Books, magazines and board games will help while away the hours.

Inside, Sunrose 7 is stylish and charming with enough glass to keep the mountains in full view; two wood burning stoves make evenings toasty whilst relaxing on squishy sofas and oversized armchairs. We loved the stag above one of the wood burners created out of tweed patchwork (eat your heart out, Kirsty Allsop).

The designer really thought about the lighting, too with ceiling lights crafted out of whiskey and sherry bottles, bird wall lights and mice desk lamps.



Our favourite item? A fluffy foot stool-cum-sheep that we nicknamed Meryl (as in Streep) and plotted to take home.

Beyond the small check-in desk is an open-plan dining area facing an entire wall of glass with views of a gushing river; grab a seat outside on sunny evenings and dine under festoon lights.

On sunny days, don your swimmers and take a dip in the outdoor pool which is more for cooling down and posing than it is from lengths. Sadly, this was still being built during our stay.



Each of the rooms differ in design – ours had a cow theme with a framed cow photo on one wall and trio of hot pink cow images above the bed; our spa partner’s room boasted a window seat-cum reading nook facing the river.

Shall we spa?

Head down in the lift to the basement to Zlata Villa, the hotel’s spa. Compact yet show-y, the entire space shimmers in blacks, golds, creams and light woods.

Your pine locker, with gold key, is on the left – we changed in our rooms so were already sporting white robes and slippers on arrival. Help yourself to fresh fruit, fruit-infused water and herbal teas.

Beyond here is the loo which wouldn’t be out of place in an exclusive night club; the alpine scent reminded us that we were in the Slovenian Alps.
 
Four cream double day beds - with stripy beige and white cushions - are perfect for elegant lounging; a silver ice bucket containing a bottle of fizz to pop and sip throughout our two-hour private session was a welcome treat. Guests not on a private sesh can be safe in the knowledge that no more than six spa goers at a time will use the space; pull the flowing white curtain across your lounger for added privacy.

Entertainment goes beyond the spa norm here with chunky coffee table books to leaf through and a black Marshall radio – fitting of the colour scheme – to twiddle until you find your ear candy of choice (no plinky-plonky music here).

Another flowing curtain from here leads to the thermal area with its statement black and gold sunken hydro pool comfortably seating three. Wide edging provides the perfect ledge to put your glass of fizz without it tumbling in (heaven forbid). The water was a little cooler than we were anticipating but inviting none-the-less.



Warm up in the Finnish sauna next door afterwards – which is heated to a toasty 80 degrees – before cooling down under the rain shower with its different settings.

Gold and white mice in different positions - each holding a naked bulb – create the subdued, and stylish, lighting (a recurring theme).

Food glorious food

Breakfast in the restaurant is a celebration of local produce with orange-yolked hen’s eggs cooked to order (and perfection), local cheeses, meats, breads and preserves, nutty granolas and fresh fruits, all served with wake-me-up coffee and little jugs of warm milk.

Dinner is a six-course taster menu with wine pairings. Our stay coincided with a new chef at the helm who wowed us with more dishes than we could possibly muster (we tried), beginning with a warm bread with chili dipping oil accompanied by a glass of Prosecco with a drizzle of lavender oil in it (genius).
 


Our starter of beef tartare with mustard seeds, radish and corn chips served paired with a sweet rose made us think twice about meaty tartares (in a good way); our asparagus and smoked trout-filled ravioli served with a crisp white was a triumph.

The main course of duck breast with asparagus, truffles, granola and celery mash complemented by a deep red cabernet/pinot blend was the diish of the evening, pipped only to the post by a tangy raspberry cake with Tarrogan cream, which came with a sweet white dessert wine.

As if that wasn’t enough, the meal ended with pretty-as-a-picture chocolates laced with pork rind –  to cut through the sweetness, we were informed - and a glass of brandy.

Belt-loosening-ly sated, we retired to the lounge to finish our wine and chat about our incredible meal whilst pondering the weight penalty for stuffing Meryl Sheep into one of our suitcases.

Short on time?

Hit the design-led, intimate spa chill out - booking a private session if funds allow.

Got all day?

Go for a slow meander along the river to the village - with its churches, cafes, Heidi-style houses and souvenirs shops - before nourishing the soul with a dip in the hydro pool followed by a delectable six-course taster menu with wine pairings. End the evening with a glass of port by the fire and a board game with new friends.

A night at Sunrose 7 costs from £153 per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast. A two-hour private spa session for two costs £217, reducing to £60 per person if shared with five strangers. The six-course taster menu with wine pairings costs £87 per person.